Models Of The Church [expanded Edition]

Plot

In MODELS OF THE CHURCH, one of America's leading theologians defines the most basic functions of the Church while assessing her different roles to the faithful and her mission on earth. There is today a dramatic re-examination of structure, dogma, position - indeed, everything pertaining to the life of the Church and her members. Welcoming this as a sign of vitality, Avery Dulles has carefully studied the writings of modern ecclesiologists, both Protestant and Catholic, and sifted out five major approaches or "models" through which the Church's character can be understood: Institution, Mystical Communion, Sacrament, Herald and Servant. A balanced theology, he concludes, must incorporate the major affirmations of each. "the method of models or types," observes Dulles, "can have great value in helping people to get beyond the limitations of their own particular outlook, and to enter into fruitful conversation with others... Such conversation is obviously essential if ecumenism is to get past its present impasses." Some of the areas examined through these models are grace, sin, the doctrine of God, the sacraments and revelation. All in all, here is a major work that offers the thoughtful Christian an insightful blueprint for evolving a Church truly vital to modern man.